Saddle problems for the rider

[dilbert]

I Hate saddles soooooooo much!!!

Today I had a really good lesson on my cob where we focused on my position( its rubbish!). I'm having problems with my legs swinging forward, toes turning out and generally not being very good. I've got some ridden and ground exercises however it was commented on that my saddle wasn't helping

We are currently using a T4 cob plus but I am considering attempting to save up for an alternative if there are any better options out there.....any wise words or suggestions?

 

[Ollie's Mum]

I think you need a session with a good saddler who'll fit the saddle to you as well as to the horse. Probably a bit difficult for people to make suggestions without a lot more detail!

 

[dilbert]

Thanks OM! We've had quite a few saddle fitters out over the last two years......lol

The position of the stirrups on the T4 seems to be putting my legs too far forward and pushing me into an armchair like position.

 

[Alphamare]

Most treed saddles are like that. A dressage saddle may help. Or the heather moffat flexEE new sadd coming out with a leather tree will have set back stirrups in both the GP and the dressage version. Also it's less than £350 brand new for the synthetic one.

 

[snopuma]

Try a Black Country Eloquence or a Bates Innova dressage saddle, you would have to pop your hips out of their sockets to carry on throwing your leg forward and toes out!

 

[sbloom]

Most treed saddles are like that.

Not true! The GP, showing and WH saddles I mainly fit put most people in a well-aligned position. It has nothing to do with whether a saddle has a tree or not.

A dressage saddle may help.

True - most dressage saddles will have a stirrup bar set further back than in a GP and certainly than in a jump saddle.

Also, if your saddle is sitting low in the cantle (common on wider horses where the saddle isn't quite right) it can make the legs swing forwrads, the bar is fractionally rotated forwards. I specialise in fitting cobs and natives, do feel free to pm me or Google me - stephanie bloom saddle fitter.

 

[LopingBill]

You could always try a western saddle! have a look at my blog on www.theversatilehorse.com

 

[TigerTail]

Def doesnt have to be just treed saddles that affect the riders position. Unless the stirrup bars are set as close as possible to the deepest part of the seat you are going to cop comments about your leg position from most instructors.
Your legs are always fighting the stirrup leather to be in the right place.

Then when you get a new saddle you have to re train your muscle memory to the right place

What sort of instructor do u have?

Id def recommend a HM saddle for both horse and rider comfort

 

[milliepops]

I Hate saddles soooooooo much!!!

I sympathise, I had massive problems with my old saddles and always felt like I was fighting them, both dressage and jumping saddles. It does make a huge difference when you find a saddle that fits YOU as well as your horse. I've got 2 Wows now and it was an overnight fix for me Best thing I ever did. Definitely worth spending a bit of time trying out some other saddles.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Try www.thepainfreehorse.co.uk - know what you mean about having every saddle fitter within a 50 mile radius: we've done that here in the past and each "expert" has their own opinion plus their own range of saddles they're trying to flog you; even if it patently doesn't fit either the horse or the rider.

I had lower back problems until I tried these saddles; and hadn't realised just how much I was over-compensating with the badly-fitting saddle I had.

Deffo recommend these - and if you look for the "Tor" saddle you might just see us! (we're the traddie piebald cob).

 

[rockysmum]

We had dreadful trouble getting a straight cut saddle for our little cob.

We ended up with a Farrinton dressage, it wasn't designed for cobs but it is superb.

Pony goes lovely in it, its comfortable and keeps your position correct.

 

[McNally]

Weirdly I got rid of my T6 because I felt the exact same way. For ages I only rode my own horse and thought I was just a rubbish rider all of a sudden- really insecure feeling seat wise. Until I rode a few other horses and discovered I can still ride! Just not in that saddle! My gfs is fab would recommend giving them a look